LACMTA releases Final EIS/EIR

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority released its Final Environmental Impact Statement/Report for the Westside Subway Extension Project.

The Westside Subway Extension, a Measure R transportation project, proposes to extend Los Angeles' Metro Purple Line subway west from the Wilshire/Western station to the Westwood/VA area. The Final EIS/EIR contains recommendations for the nearly nine-mile subway alignment and seven station locations along the route. This includes a recommendation to locate the Century City station at Constellation and Avenue of the Stars, the Westwood/UCLA Station at Wilshire and Westwood Boulevards and the final station on the south side of Wilshire Boulevard at Bonsall near the Westwood/VA Hospital. The report also includes recommendations for environmental mitigations for the project.

"The completion of the Westside Subway Extension's final environmental document marks a crucial milestone in Metro's continuing efforts to extend the Purple Line from Wilshire/Western to Westwood," said L.A. City Mayor and Metro Board Chair Antonio Villaraigosa. "Its completion represents the culmination of more than four years of environmental study by Metro and upon final approval by the Metro Board, will help secure future federal funding as the agency moves into final design. When built, this project will provide critically needed transportation options to and from the Westside that will benefit all of L.A. County."

The LACMTA Board of Directors will consider the report's recommendations at its April 26, 2012 board meeting. Construction could begin in 2013.

Based on the adopted funding schedule, the project will be built in three phases and be completed to the Westwood VA Hospital in 2036. LACMTA continues to seek creative financing solutions that could potentially allow the subway to be built in one phase and completed in as little as ten years.

Once built, riders will be able to travel from Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles to the Westwood/UCLA station in 25 minutes. More than 78,000 daily trips are projected on the new line.